my GM did a game of rogue trader set in jerichos reach, we were tailling another asswipe rogue trader who had killed our ships previous captain.

the game was short lived, but the idea seems solid, are there any problems with the concept? anything to keep in mind?

Lots more involvement from the Tau, possibly an increased Astartes presence. Less unexplored, unclaimed planets. More civilised worlds to trade with.

so...why don't more people do it then? that sounds like a great idea in general.

Elric225, there are several good reasons a Rogue Trader would steer clear of the Jericho Reach.

1. High risk. You are quite likely to run into a hostile fleet in the Reach. The unconquered worlds have significant naval assets.
2. Most of the civilised worlds in the Jericho Reach are not loyal to the Emperor and hate the Imperium with a passion. Worse, most of said worlds are fortified well enough to resist an Imperial fleet. This can be an obstacle to profitable trading.
3. The Rogue Trader's warrant gives him great authority, but ONLY outside the bounds of the Imperium. The presence of the Achilus Crusade means the RT cannot simply do as he pleases; if a world is loyal to the Imperium, then the crusade high command has authority in the area. The Deathwatch and Inquisition are active in the Reach as well as Crusade forces. All of these are quite capable of restricting or outright blocking an endeavour.

Or, in other words, the Koronus Expanse offers more potential profit with less risk and less official entanglements.

Cheers,

- V.

All of Vandegraffe 's points are valid, but there is something to be said for the adventure potential of trying to profiteer in a full-scale warzone. Delivering supplies behind enemy lines, running a black market catering to the Imperial Guard, trying to loot worlds as they are falling to the enemy, all the while trying to dodge the Inquisition. It's not "classic" RT, but it could make for a fun alternative...

I never said a Rogue Trader couldn't operate in the Jericho Reach, merely that there might be valid reasons to explore elsewhere. Anywhere outside of Imperial Space is viable hunting grounds for a Rogue Trader. Hell, a gutsy enough Rogue Trader could even make a profit in the Screaming Vortex... In fact, that gives me an idea for another story arc for my players...

Cheers,

- V.

Personally I find the Jericho Reach to be a very inviting setting (for Dark Heresy, Rouge Trader & Deatwatch(obviously)) - but I don't plan on letting my crew loose there as yet.

I think it has to be remebered that it is a war zone - so the ship (and to a certain extent the crew) need to be geared and skilled to deal with that. Even if they are trading there WILL be battles - it's the nature of the setting and I suppose it's why it feels the closest to "traditional" Warhammer 40K.

Personally, I love the Jericho Reach setting. It's a more "closed" setting than the Koronus Expanse, so there's less room to put in something totally weird of your own invention, but it has the advantage of a really good sourcebook that summarises the region beautifully.

The Achillus Assault sourcebook is probably the best pure Sourcebook (arguably the ONLY pure sourcebook) produced for WH40kRPG. Every other book in the range so far has been a mix of career compendium, weapons catalogue etc etc. The Achillus Assault is the fluffiest 40k RPG book so far, and as a result it really makes the setting come alive. It's clearly designed with DH/RT crossover appeal in mind, as it details both Inquisitorial activity and at least one NPC Rogue Trader dynasty operating within the region, together with intriguing threats like a warp anomaly-worshipping Navigator cult that would be perfect foils for PC Rogue Trader dynasties.

The Achillus Assault is the sort of book a lot of people on these boards have been crying out for for ages for the Calixis Sector, and I think a book of this type would also make the Koronus Expanse a more involved setting, too. Both settings would benefit from a similar book, one which provides a broad narrative thrust for each region.

Note that I'm not criticising books like Edge of the Abyss or Into the Storm (both of which are excellent), I'm simply saying that I think the Deathwatch line has really benefitted from detailing the setting in great depth at an early stage of the line's history. Imagine how cool it would be to see books like Achillus Assault for the Koronus Expanse and Calixis Sector.

They could both build on the Unearthed Apocrypha material to provide a history of the regions, reveal major power blocs and Imperial politics...all the kind of stuff that really puts flesh on the bones of the game!